Egypt's PM urges G8 to help unlock promised aid

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's prime minister appealed to Group of Eight countries on Monday to help unlock billions of dollars in aid promised in September but not yet delivered under an initiative to support countries of the Arab spring.

Under the so-called Deauville partnership, G8 countries agreed to supply economic and political aid quickly to several Arab governments in return for commitments they would pursue democratic reforms.

The partnership, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey and international organizations such the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has so far pledged about $80 billion in financing to Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan over the next two years.

"The prime minister met with the ambassadors of the G8 countries to discuss Egypt's urgent economic needs and what these countries can give Egypt within the framework of the Deauville partnership," Amr told reporters after the meeting.

"The prime minister shared with the ambassadors the government's plan to ensure security and stability on the streets," he added.

Ganzouri said last week that apart from $1 billion sent by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Egypt had received little of the promised aid.

Egypt has lost billions of dollars in revenue from tourism and investors, who were frightened away by the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February.
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